Seven Mile News

Phases One and Two have created a capacity among the local stakeholder group to better understand the future of agriculture in the region, and the drivers that they may be able to affect to promote a future that is better for farmers, the environment, and the local economy. In Phase Three we narrowed in on a few chopportunities—that is challenges and opportunities—to explore as next steps. Four working groups around activities have been established. To learn more about the chopportunities, read here.

In April we begin phase two of the project. Phase two will be an opportunity to collaboratively explore possible future scenarios of agricultural development in Southern MN. We’ll begin by interviewing stakeholders and participants about their perspectives on the future of the agricultural bioeconomy. Then we’ll meet on April 22nd, to bring these ideas together. See the full update here.

In 2015 the Seven Mile Creek New Agricultural Bioeconomy Project (NABP) connected local stakeholders in the Seven Mile Creek (7MC) area and experts from around the state, created opportunities for shared learning, and built a foundation for stakeholders to better understand their interest in affecting the future of the bioeconomy in Southern MN.

Jan 8, 2016

SEVEN MILE CREEK

The Seven Mile Creek watershed, located in Nicollet County and the Middle Minnesota River Basin, covers approximately 24,000 acres. The NABP team at the University of Minnesota is hosting and facilitating a multi-stakeholder engagement process to identify innovative policy, research, technology, and learning to promote economic, environmental, and community win-win-wins. Stakeholders engaged in the process include local producers, economic development agencies, conservation agencies, government, agricultural industry leaders, and others.

STAKEHOLDER LEADERSHIP

Local stakeholders are shaping and driving a process that includes three phases. Phase one was an opportunity for stakeholders to learn from experts and each other about current issues and emerging trends in policy, markets, and technology that impact the agricultural economy, environment, and community. In Phase two stakeholders developed and analyzed future scenarios based on the trends and observations they have identified. In Phase three stakeholders identified next steps.

UNIVERSITY SUPPORT

The NABP team at the University of Minnesota supports local stakeholders through facilitating and organizing the participation process, providing academic expertise in wide-ranging fields of study, and by connecting stakeholders to other resources in industry, government, and non-profit sectors.